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Section4: Operation
TillingTips& Techniques
Clearingthetines
Dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines
may becometangledin thetines. Follow
these proceduresto help avoidtangling
and to cleanthe tines, if necessary.
• Toreducetangling, set the depth
regulatorto maximum depth.
• Whiletilling, try swaying the handle-
barsfrom side to side (about6" to 12").
This "fishtailing" action often clearsthe
tines of debris.
• If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of
thesoil and run the tiller in reversefor
afew feet. This may unwinda good
deal of debris.
• It may be necessaryto remove the
debris by hand (a pocket knifewill help
youto cut awaythe material).
WARNING
Before clearing the tines by
hand, stop the engine, allow
all moving parts to stop and
disconnect the spark plug
wire.
Failure to follow this warning
could result in personal
injury.
Tilling onslopes
If you must garden on a moderate slope,
pleasefollow two very important guide-
lines:
1.Till only on moderateslopes, neveron
steepground wherefooting is difficult
(review safety rules in the "Safety"
section ofthis manual).
2.We recommendtilling up and down
slopes ratherthan terracing. Tilling
vertically on a slopeallows maximum
planting areaand also leavesroom for
cultivating.
IMPORTANT:Whentilling on slopes, be
surethe correct oil levelis maintained in
the engine (check everyone-half hour of
operation). Theincline of the slope will
causethe oil to slant awayfrom its
normal leveland this canstarve engine
parts of required lubrication. Keepthe
engineoil levelat the full point atall
times!
A. Tilling upand downslopes:
• To keepsoil erosion to a minimum, be
sure to add enough organic matterto
the soil so that it hasgood moisture-
holding texture and try to avoid leaving
footprints or wheel marks.
• When tilling vertically, try to makethe
first passuphill as thetiller digs more
deeplygoing uphill than it does
downhill. In soft soil or weeds,you
may haveto lift handlebarsslightly
while going uphill.
B. Tilling acrossslopeswithout
usingterraces:
If previouslydescribed tilling methods
aren't practicalfor you, then you cantill
laterallyacross a slope. However,we
don't reallyrecommendthis method as
it cancreate unsurefooting and invites
soil erosion.
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